Safety Makes F1’s Red Flag Controversy a Difficult Debate

Mercedes' British driver George Russell looks at his car after it caught fire during the 2023 Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on April 2, 2023. (AFP)
Mercedes' British driver George Russell looks at his car after it caught fire during the 2023 Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on April 2, 2023. (AFP)
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Safety Makes F1’s Red Flag Controversy a Difficult Debate

Mercedes' British driver George Russell looks at his car after it caught fire during the 2023 Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on April 2, 2023. (AFP)
Mercedes' British driver George Russell looks at his car after it caught fire during the 2023 Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on April 2, 2023. (AFP)

Formula One was accused of putting entertainment before sport in Sunday's crash-strewn and triple-stopped Australian Grand Prix but whether all those red flags needed to be thrown is a difficult debate.

In defense of race director Niels Wittich, safety always comes first.

Aston Martin principal Mike Krack, whose Spanish driver Fernando Alonso finished third after the final red flag reset the field to grid positions at the last re-start, said it was easy to criticize from the outside.

"Was it safe for the cars to go through the debris? It's not easy to judge. But the race director has to make a decision and as far as safety is concerned the decision must be respected even if we don't like it," he said.

The race was halted early on when Alex Albon's Williams was stuck on a kerb, with gravel strewn across the track.

The second stoppage came with four laps to go when Kevin Magnussen's Haas hit the wall, with a tire ripped off in the impact amid scattered debris.

The third standing start of the day, with two laps of racing to come, then ended in carnage with a third red flag and positions reverting to the previous grid order because the first sector had not been completed.

The field completed the last lap behind the safety car.

"I don't feel like the second to last red flag was needed," said McLaren's Lando Norris. "The last one, I'm sure it was because there was a lot of people in the gravel and things, but the one before, possibly not. Maybe to put on a bit of a show."

Mercedes' George Russell, who retired from the race, said the first red flag was "totally unnecessary".

Red Bull's double world champion Max Verstappen also criticized the last stoppage and said officials had created a problem for themselves.

Former F1 racer and Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle offered a different perspective.

"I don't think there's any instruction to whiz this show up when required," he said.

"It's very easy for us to sit on the sidelines going 'should have done this, should have done that'. But back in 2009 Felipe Massa nearly died (in Hungary) with a piece of somebody else's car coming through his cockpit.

"If there are pieces of debris on the track you can't have them flying through the air at a couple of hundred miles an hour."

It later emerged that a spectator had suffered a cut to his arm when struck by a piece of debris from Magnussen's car.

Red flag calls are the responsibility of the race director, but the FIA also has new sporting director Steve Nielsen and a remote operations center to ensure the correct processes are then followed.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, so apoplectic after a notorious 2021 Abu Dhabi finale in which a late tweak to safety car procedures cost Lewis Hamilton a record eighth title, agreed the rules were followed but wanted more clarity.

"Restarts are a great entertainment factor, but we need to understand going forward when a red flag is being put out and when it is a safety car or a VSC (virtual safety car). For those incidents you could have applied either," he said.

"Formula One is so successful because it is sport and we follow the rulebook and that gives great entertainment, as long as it is clear how it is being interpreted."



Man City Sign Dutch Midfielder Reijnders Ahead of Club World Cup

AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders, left, and Roma's Manu Kone battle for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Milan at the Rome's Olympic stadium, Italy, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders, left, and Roma's Manu Kone battle for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Milan at the Rome's Olympic stadium, Italy, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
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Man City Sign Dutch Midfielder Reijnders Ahead of Club World Cup

AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders, left, and Roma's Manu Kone battle for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Milan at the Rome's Olympic stadium, Italy, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders, left, and Roma's Manu Kone battle for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Milan at the Rome's Olympic stadium, Italy, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Manchester City confirmed the signing of midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan on a five-year contract on Wednesday and said the Netherlands international will be available for this month's Club World Cup.

Financial details were not released but a City team source has put the transfer fee at 55 million euros ($62.85 million).

"City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities.  Under Pep Guardiola, City have won so many titles, and I want to help keep that going with a lot more success in the coming years," Reijnders said in a statement, according to Reuters.

"It is also a dream come true to play in the Premier League. This league has seen many of the best Dutch players perform through the years and it's an inspiration to follow in their footsteps."

The 26-year-old, who has been capped 23 times, joined Milan in 2023 on a five-year contract before extending it until 2030 in March.

He made 104 appearances for the club in all competitions, winning the Italian Super Cup and was named Serie A's best midfielder last season.

"He arrives here with extensive top-level experience in Europe both at club level as well as on the international stage with the Netherlands," City's Director of Football Hugo Viana said.

Reijnders is City's fourth addition of the transfer window after left back Rayan Ait-Nouri, winger Rayan Cherki and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

The expanded 32-team Club World Cup runs from June 14 to July 13 in the United States with $1 billion in prize money at stake.